Government official cancels plan for providing financial support for sex services for disabled individuals, justifying the decision due to resistance from taxpayers.
The Australian government has announced a ban on funding sexual services through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) from July 2024 [2][3]. This decision makes Australia's approach somewhat unique, as similar national disability funding schemes in other countries do not commonly have explicit bans on using public funds for sex work services [3].
The NDIS reform aims to clarify the scope of funded supports, referencing international obligations such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) [3]. However, the policy has sparked debate on human rights issues, balancing protection against exploitation and ethical concerns with respect for autonomy and the rights of disabled persons to access diverse support options [1][4].
Critics argue that banning funding for sex work services may reduce agency and support options for people with disabilities who may choose sex work as part of their personal autonomy or for intimacy needs. Advocates worry it could perpetuate stigma and limit inclusive choices within disability support schemes [4]. On the other hand, proponents frame the ban as aligning public funds with certain ethical and social norms about sexual services and protecting vulnerable populations [1].
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Bill Shorten, justified the decision by stating that instances of sex work being funded through NDIS are rare, and he is "not sure" taxpayers would approve of the disability scheme financing sex work [5]. However, a federal court ruling in 2020 declared that the NDIS Act does not expressly exclude sex-related activities from being funded supports [6].
In the UK, a similar controversy emerged in 2019 when a judge ruled that social services should not facilitate access to prostitutes for a man with learning disabilities [7]. In contrast, sex workers are moving to blockchain payments, and there are claims that financial institutions are waging a war against them in the UK [8].
The Australian government aims to ensure the NDIS, which supports over 600,000 people with disability, is on a more financially sustainable footing. NDIS costs are expected to increase to over $90 billion by the end of the decade from $44.3 billion in 2024 [9]. Disability advocates strongly oppose this decision, arguing that it stigmatises both sex workers and disabled individuals who seek their services [4].
The controversial question of disabled people's access to sex work is enduring, raising valid points about whether there should be restrictions on how benefits are used and the continuing stigma around sex work as a right to practice and purchase [10]. The ongoing debate underscores the need for a nuanced approach that respects the autonomy and human rights of disabled individuals while addressing concerns about exploitation and ethical standards.
The NDIS reform, mirroring international obligations such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), seeks to clarify the scope of funded supports in Australia [3]. However, the policy's ban on funding sexual services through the NDIS has ignited debates on human rights issues, raising concerns about the impact on disabled persons' autonomy and the stigmatization of sex work [1, 4].
